Mon pays c'est l'amour [VINYL]

This collector edition consists of one CD inside a hard-backed book. I don’t know why the makers put pressure on the disc’s playing surface by inserting it face-down. My CD had scratches from the start; even though it was removed with care.If Johnny Hallyday’s recognisable vocal sound can be attributed to his long-time smoking habit, then his death from lung cancer (aged 74) must surely be associated with the same addiction. Can the artist’s final studio album (‘my country is love’) still deliver?Johnny was of course in his seventies during the recording sessions, but his trademark vocals remain largely intact. I can’t say for sure, but older, left-over tracks may have been used. Was the album completed in the singer’s absence, with overdubs added later? If this was a vinyl LP, the five tracks on side one sound new, but I suspect side two might contain outtakes from ‘Rester vivant’ for instance. The curiously-titled ‘Four square metres (and dust)’ and ‘Back in LA’ could certainly be from those 2014 sessions, based on the production sound.The album gets off to a good start with ‘J’en parlerai au diable’ (I’ll talk to the devil). Track five repeats the tune as a 2 minute instrumental (‘Interlude’). I also like ‘Pardonne-moi’ (forgive me). The backing music for the final song ‘Je ne suis qu’un homme’ (I am only a man) sounds like a rap production by Dr Dre!Johnny has previously recorded covers of ‘Johnny B. Goode’ (Chuck Berry) and ‘Somethin’ else’ (Eddie Cochran). On side one/the first half, music for the title song and ‘Made in rock ‘n’ roll’ appears to have been borrowed from those titles. ‘Made in rock ‘n’ roll’ (the best rocker) benefits from a good drum sound.This posthumous collection may gain attention as Johnny’s final release, but ultimately it is just another Johnny Hallyday album. If you like his music, you will enjoy this, although it is unlikely to gain classic status or be regarded as essential. The French icon has achieved a lot of artistic and commercial success during his lengthy career, but ‘Mon pays c’est l’amour’ does not stray far from his now-familiar rock & blues template. The double disc ‘A la vie, a la mort’ (2002) would be a more satisfying purchase.